But 14 applications are denied, including two proposed for suburban communities and one offering virtual learning

Nine charter-school applications -- including one to expand the state’s first private-school conversion -- have passed the first round of the state’s application process, which started this spring.

The Christie administration rejected 14 other applications, including a virtual charter and what would have the state’s first Montessori charter.

Charter schools continue to be a contentious political issue, with a number of bills restricting new approvals still pending.

The nine successful applications now go to the second stage, with further details requested of them in the next month. After that process, the state will decide whether to give preliminary approval in the fall. The schools would open in September 2016.

One of the applications moving to the second round is for Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson, the expansion of the Philip’s Academy in Newark, which was the first charter to be converted from a private school.

One application from Camden, headed by a former high school principal in the city, and another from the Newark Preschool Council are also moving to the next stage in the process.

Among the rejected were the 24/7 Learning Academy Virtual Charter School in Newark, as well as two charters proposed for suburban communities, one in Princeton, the other Lawrence and Ewing.

The new head of the New Jersey Charter School Association applauded the process so far, and said it had worked with a half-dozen of the successful applicants.

Sponsors acknowledge little immediate chance of passage, but legislation still stirs up plenty of protest

“We support the Department of Education as they go through the rigorous application review, and we look forward to the DOE’s final decision towards the expansion of high-quality schools for every student in the state of New Jersey,” said Nicole Cole, president and CEO of the association.

The following list includes applications that are moving forward and those that have been declined. In addition, four charter schools are currently under final review to open this fall: